More at Four

More at Four is a program begun in 2002 by Governor Easley to provide high quality pre-kindergarten education for four year olds in North Carolina to prepare them for success in school. The purpose of the program is to ensure that all four year olds in Region A who have risk factors related to school failure have access to high quality preschool opportunities that prepare them to succeed in kindergarten.

Specific objectives of the program include:

To offer parents a variety of high quality settings for their children such as private childcare, schools, and Head Start centers;
To raise the quality of early education in all classrooms through higher teacher education, curriculum development, and ongoing assessment of each child's progress;
To ensure free access to pre-kindergarten opportunities for children who would not otherwise receive early education services;
To enhance early learning opportunities in all developmental domains;
To address the specific needs of children with risk factors through early intervention and community collaboration.

Who Qualifies for More at Four?

Children who will be going to kindergarten in 2005 (age four by October 16, 2004), have not been in any childcare program, and whose family have low income (annual incomes at or below 75% of the State Median Income level).

There is no cost for children to participate in the program. Funds are provided by More at Four, Smart Start, Subsidy, Head Start, Public Schools, and local childcare providers. For more information, contact Terri Sanger at 828-586-0661.

This is a PDF file outlining detailed Program Guidelines as posted by the Office of the Governor.